Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 522: Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Class C Per Diem License Fees

HB 522 modifies Anne Arundel County's fee structure for temporary Class C alcoholic beverage licenses (for events). It changes fees from a flat daily rate to a per-point-of-sale location charge for events with 500+ attendees. Specifically, for events under 500 people, fees remain $25/day for beer/wine licenses and $50/day for full liquor licenses. For events of 500+ people, fees increase to $25 per serving location per day for beer/wine licenses and $50 per location per day for full liquor licenses. The bill applies only to Anne Arundel County and takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 3: Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees (Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act)

HB 3, the Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act, exempts financially dependent children of state or local public safety employees who died while on duty from paying out-of-state or out-of-county tuition at Maryland public colleges. It directly affects children of firefighters, police officers, EMTs, correctional officers, and Maryland National Guard members who were residents of Maryland at the time of their death. The bill amends Maryland law to define "public safety employee" broadly and requires the Commission to create implementing regulations. The exemption applies to public higher education institutions statewide and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 474: Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act)

HB 474, the "Clear Before You Drive Act," prohibits drivers in Maryland from operating or towing vehicles with accumulated snow or ice on exposed surfaces - including windshields, roofs, windows, and truck trailers - that poses a safety threat. It directly affects all vehicle operators, requiring snow/ice removal before driving, with fines starting at $25 for first-time noncommercial vehicle violations and escalating to $200 for repeated offenses. The bill also imposes higher penalties - $200-$1,000 for noncommercial or $500-$1,500 for commercial vehicles - if snow/ice contributes to accidents causing property damage, injury, or death. Key provisions mandate pre-drive snow removal and establish tiered fines based on vehicle type and offense history.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 42: Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity

SB 42 protects registered reduction operators (who process human remains into soil via natural organic reduction) and veterans service organizations from civil liability when transferring or receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of veterans or their eligible dependents, as long as they act in good faith. It amends Maryland law to clarify that these entities are not legally responsible for handling such remains for disposition purposes. The bill specifically replaces the term "cremated remains" with "hydrolyzed or soil remains" in relevant legal sections to align with new processing methods. This change directly affects veterans' remains management without altering existing disposition procedures or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 405: Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Governing Documents - Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment

HB 405 prevents condo and HOA governing bodies from unreasonably blocking electric vehicle (EV) charger installations in common or limited common use parking areas. It requires boards to follow regular budget processes and confirm sufficient parking availability before installing chargers. The law also allows boards to grant 3-year renewable licenses for necessary common elements (like electrical supply) for EV equipment. This applies retroactively to existing restrictions and takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting condo/HOA communities and their residents.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 319: County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study

HB 319 repeals the expiration date (sunset) for two 2021 laws that allow county boards of education to use non-standard vehicles for student transportation under specific circumstances. This bill permanently extends the existing authority, meaning county school systems can continue using these alternative transportation methods without needing new legislation. The change directly affects county boards of education and the students they transport, particularly in situations where standard school buses aren't feasible. The policy remains unchanged - it only removes the June 30, 2026, deadline that would have ended the provision automatically.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 399: Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Class C Per Diem License Fees

SB 399 adjusts the fee structure for temporary alcohol licenses (Class C per diem) used by event organizers in Anne Arundel County. It sets $25 per day for beer/wine licenses and $50 per day for full liquor licenses at events with fewer than 500 attendees. For events of 500+ people, fees increase to $25 per serving location per day for beer/wine licenses and $50 per serving location per day for full liquor licenses. The bill affects event vendors, venues, and organizers needing temporary alcohol permits in Anne Arundel County, effective July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 398: Anne Arundel County - Board of License Commissioners - Alterations

SB 398 increases the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners from three to five members. It requires the Governor to appoint members from a list recommended by the county’s state legislative delegations, revises eligibility rules (limiting same-party members to three and same-district residents to two), and mandates the board adopt a published ethics policy on conflicts of interest. The bill directly affects how the county’s alcohol and cannabis licensing board is structured and staffed. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with new terms beginning May 2, 2027.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 400: Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages - Entertainment Permits

SB 400 updates Anne Arundel County's rules for entertainment permits at businesses serving alcohol. It creates three permit types: "Background" (allowing only background music/TV), "General" (adding live music with ≤4 musicians and karaoke), and "Full" (permitting dancing, stages, and floor shows). The bill requires outdoor events under any permit to stay at least 100 feet from residential zones, and "Full" permits near schools/worship sites must maintain a 1,000-foot buffer. Annual fees range from $100 (Background) to $400 (Full for beer/wine/liquor licenses), effective July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 430: Family Child Care Providers - Reserve Component Members - Substitute Provider

HB 430 requires family child care providers who are members of the National Guard or military reserves to designate a substitute provider when they are away for required training or active duty. This applies specifically to providers operating registered family child care homes, which care for up to eight children in a home setting. The law limits substitute care to no more than 45 working days per year. The bill amends Maryland's child care licensing laws (adding Section 9.5-305.1) to establish this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 558: Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Wine Festival Licenses PG 316-26

HB 558 removes an annual limit on wine festival licenses in Prince George’s County, allowing the Board of License Commissioners to issue multiple licenses each year instead of just one. It directly affects organizers of wine festivals who hold existing retail, Class 3 winery, or Class 4 winery licenses. Key provisions include requiring festivals to avoid conflicts with other county wine events (like Carroll or Howard County festivals), promote Maryland wine, and operate only during designated weekend hours. The bill also clarifies that wine sold at these festivals must be sourced from Maryland-licensed distributors and delivered directly to the event site.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 583: Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Notice of Issuance of Class C Per Diem Beer, Wine, and Liquor License PG 319–26

HB 583 updates Prince George’s County’s process for notifying authorities when issuing temporary event alcohol licenses (Class C per diem). It amends the law to require the Board of License Commissioners to send license notices to the County Police Chief, County Fire Chief, and the newly named Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (replacing the previous "Department of Environmental Resources"), plus the local municipal chief if applicable. The bill changes only the department name in the notification list and specifies notices must include event time, place, and expected size. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects county licensing officials and local safety departments.

Bill results